Women in Tech: Joyeeta Das

In the latest episode of Innovate UK's Gamechangers series, the focus falls on Joyeeta Das, the founder of Gyana, a startup that uses big data and social media trends to form a very unique search tool.

Every so often, a person comes along that simply radiates success and inspiration. When Innovate UK notices such individuals we like to feature them in our Game Changers series. This series sees us shine a spotlight on those shaping the industry and world around us.

In the latest episode, our focus falls on Joyeeta Das, the founder of Gyana, a startup that uses big data and social media trends to form a very unique search tool.

About Das and Gyana
Das graduated as an engineer in India, moved to Cisco and then founded Anahata Life. She later undertook an MBA at the University of Oxford. It was here that the idea of Gyana was born.

Gyana is an information search company with a unique twist. The company is attempting to make AI and big data affordable to consumers. The programme uses data from sources such as social media networks, traffic updates and the weather. This data creates a unique perspective about a specific area detailing any trends or emotional ‘vibe’.

If this sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. The more data that’s inputted, the greater the understanding of the cities and world around us. The software helps consumers, the government and businesses to gain a truthful and accurate understanding of specific locations and demographics. When you consider the potential implications for this type of technology, you’ll appreciate that the potential is truly huge.

Why are we inspired by Das?It’s common to discuss an entrepreneur’s unwavering belief in their idea though Das takes this up a notch. Her enthusiasm and innovative outlook is infectious to those around her. Das’s confidence and belief has led her team to work tirelessly (and sometimes without pay) to develop something truly groundbreaking.

The road to success hasn’t been easy for Gyana. After a potential investor dropped out, Das’s team faced the tough ask of working without pay. Thankfully, due to the tenacity of its founder, Gyana benefitted from investment in January 2015. Only months later, the company saw an additional £1.5million boost.

By January 2016, the team had expanded to 15 members, and in July, Das’s product was launched. She has attracted high praise in the field and has also been selected for two Innovate UK entrepreneur missions to the US.

Das’s advice to entrepreneurs
Das explains: “It doesn’t matter how many books you read or how many people you talk to, you can’t learn something by correspondence. The biggest thing that no one really tells you is that it’s an emotional and psychological rollercoaster. It completely challenges your self-confidence and emotional cushions. Remember, it’s not just you. You are taking a lot of people on this journey with you, and they have risked a lot to join you. My advice is, you won’t be the best thing since sliced bread, ever. There’s obviously someone better than you, but that is not the point. You don’t have to be the best, you just have to get through today.”

If you’re a businesswoman with an idea that could change the industry, Innovate UK would like to hear from you.